Swimming banned at 8 city beaches

July 12, 2003

CHICAGO — The Chicago Park District on Friday banned swimming at seven Chicago beaches and extended a ban at an eighth, the largest number of swimming bans in one day this summer.

The swimming bans, which will be in effect at least through Saturday morning, were enacted Friday after Lake Michigan water samples taken Thursday morning were tested and found to contain high levels of E. coli bacteria, which can indicate the presence of other harmful bacteria.

A swimming ban at 63rd Street Beach was extended Friday, and bans took effect at 57th, 31st and Oak Streets; Montrose, Foster and Pratt Avenues; and Juneway Terrace, a district spokeswoman said.